BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Wednesday, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veterans Health Administration announced the vaccination of its one millionth veteran with their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
According to an official statement, the Battle Creek VAMC has administered more than 4,506 first doses of the Moderna vaccine to local veterans and 758 second doses.
The VA began COVID-19 immunizations in December 2020. As of February 17, VA has vaccinated 329,685 of veterans with a second dose.
Per guidelines, second doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are given 21 days after the first dose, while second doses of the Moderna vaccine are given 28 days after the first dose. The second dose completes the course of vaccination.
When an individual receives both doses from VA, they have completed their vaccine course. In other words, an individual isn’t considered to be fully vaccinated until the second dose is received.
“VA guidance encourages local flexibility in order to maximize COVID-19 vaccine access and efficiency and limit potential vaccine waste,” Acting VA Under Secretary for Health Richard Stone, M.D. said in a statement. “In this limited supply phase, our COVID-19 vaccination strategy is balancing site-specific resources, facility needs, vaccine availability, and status of the pandemic locally, as well as strict storage, handling and transportation parameters of available vaccines.”
Battle Creek VAMC is reaching out to Veterans who are eligible for vaccination.
“We are encouraged by the number of Southwest Michigan Veterans we have been able to vaccinate so far, and look forward to meeting VA’s goal of offering vaccines to all eligible Veterans and employees who want to be vaccinated,” Battle Creek VAMC Director Michelle Martin said.
Veterans who would like additional information can visit the VA COVID-19 vaccines webpage or www.battlecreek.va.gov.
They can also contact their care team for more information.
